I have experimented with HOn30 and found the biggest problem is reliable power pickup from the track. Keeping the wheels and track totally clean seems to be the main issue. There is a sure fire way around this. Battery power R/C, and yes, systems are now small enough to do this in HOn30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbooLfzvvAk Adapting this technology would take some tinkering but could be well worth it.
Also consider that using a mechanism from a smaller scale to model narrow gauge in a larger scale means the model bodies have more room for the tech stuff and to add more weight.
Going back to using basic track power, just adding more weight helps a lot.
While HOn30 uses N scale track and mechanisms the SCALE is HO so all those structures, figures, etc. that HO offers are there for one to use and HO has, by far, the greatest selection.